Pakistan captain leaves future to PCB after historic 2-0 Test loss
Shan Masood admitted Pakistan must address the “root causes” behind their continued struggles in Test cricket after a 78-run defeat to Bangladesh national cricket team in Sylhet sealed a second successive series loss against Bangladesh.
The defeat extended Pakistan’s away losing streak to seven Tests and marked another unwanted milestone under Masood’s leadership, with Bangladesh becoming only the second team after Zimbabwe to beat Pakistan in four consecutive Tests.
Masood, whose captaincy record now stands at 12 defeats in 16 Tests, refused to speculate on whether he would continue as skipper, insisting the decision rests with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“My intentions are clean. I took on this job to improve our Test cricket,” Masood said after the match. “The decision is always the board’s, but my focus has always been on how to improve this side.”
Pakistan finished bottom of the previous World Test Championship cycle under Masood and currently sit eighth in the ongoing standings, with mounting criticism surrounding both the team’s performances and the captain’s own batting form.
Despite the pressure, Masood argued that Pakistan do not need emotional or wholesale changes, but rather long-term structural improvements.
“The changes needed are structural,” he said. “You address root causes and put aside emotions. We are hurt and we sincerely apologise, but we have to look at how we can improve Pakistan’s Test cricket.”
Pakistan once again failed to capitalise on strong positions during the series. In Sylhet, they had Bangladesh reeling at 116 for 6 on the opening day before Litton Das rescued the hosts with a century. Similar collapses in control also haunted Pakistan during their home series loss to Bangladesh in 2024.
Masood admitted recurring mistakes in batting, bowling and fielding continue to cost Pakistan heavily in the longer format.
“In both matches we had significant chances to do well,” he said. “We have to reflect on ourselves and identify where we lost the game. In Test cricket, mistakes over five days are very costly.”
The Pakistan captain also defended the team’s largely experienced but relatively under-tested line-up, rejecting calls for sweeping personnel changes.
“Whether it is a 40-year-old player or an 18-year-old, what matters is whether they can fulfil the role the team needs,” Masood said. “When you lose, you have to revisit things, but you cannot make decisions emotionally.”
Masood himself endured another difficult series with the bat, scoring one half-century and averaging below 26 across the two Tests, further intensifying scrutiny over both his place in the XI and his future as captain.
